For years, Vordingborg has been near the lower end of the Confederation of Danish Industry’s ranking of municipal business conditions. This year, the municipality moves from 86th to 76th place, but its ambitions go further.
- A ranking of 76th is not good enough. But we are pleased that things are moving in the right direction. Next year, we want to be in the top 60, and within two years we want to be in the 50s, says Jakob Helles (LA), Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Committee for Business, Growth, Energy and Settlement.
The biggest improvement comes in municipal administration, where Vordingborg moves from 84th to 51st place. Vordingborg Business Association has welcomed the progress, but Chair Inger Marie Scavenius is also calling for the municipality to take a more holistic view of companies’ projects and help them through the entire process.
Jakob Helles does not dismiss that criticism.
- We have come a long way with case handling, and the figures show that this area is moving in the right direction. But we can still improve when it comes to seeing companies’ needs and projects in a broader context. That requires not only new working procedures, but also a change in culture in the municipality’s dealings with the business community, he says.
On 1 February, the municipality hired an employee to serve as a direct point of contact for local businesses. At the same time, a settlement task force has been established to attract people and companies, while cooperation with Næstved on Industrial Hub Zealand, among other initiatives, is intended to pave the way for more green industry.
There is still plenty to work on. Vordingborg ranks last, at number 91, in education and labour, while the municipality’s efforts to attract qualified workers are ranked 82nd.
- Being last in education and labour is obviously not acceptable. That is why this area must also play a major role in the initiatives we are now launching – from schools and education to settlement and closer contact with the business community, says Jakob Helles.
